The Big City

Around the time of Spring Equinox 2026,
We spend one week in the hustle-bustle of Panamá City.
Two-thirds of her country’s population resides within this sprawling cityscape.
In order to obtain our permanent Panamanian visa
And acquire certified proof of our valid US drivers license
So as to secure our Panamanian drivers license,
We find that visiting the capital city is non-negotiable.

I am dreading traveling,
Leaving the quaint township of Boquete,
To reside, albeit temporarily,
Within the clamorous congestion of a large city,
Not wanting to be subjected to TSA pat-downs,
Sardine’ing in a jet plane
(Despite flight-time being a mere hour),
Sleeping in a bed that is not ours,
Ingesting non-organic foodstuffs in restaurants
and feeling the body’s revolution,
In addition to those flavors,
Textures and health-filled Goodness
Typically incomparable with
That which comes from organic veggies
Purchased from our local farmers mercado
Forming the basis of our home-cooking,
Let alone, drive amidst the hubbub of a metropolis!

God, save us!

Arturo, the General Manager of the coffee farm we steward,
La Gracia, along with his wife, Daliany,
Are also in need of visiting the big city,
For similar bureaucracy although visiting the Venezuelan embassy
Rather than U.S. and Panamanian,
As Andrew and I are.

Given this commonality of needs,
We four arrange to spend the same week in Panamá City.

In Arturo’s younger days,
He and Daliany lived in Panamá City,
And lo and behold,
Not only did they reside in the big city,
But Arturo was a taxi driver there🚕‼️
Now, this is no easy feat.
Picture New York City driving,
And you have an image of Panamá City’s dynamism and frenzy.

In addition to visiting embassies,
We have a lengthy shopping list of
Construction and building materials,
Along with scoping out appliances and furnishings
For the first two casitas (1000 square feet each)
And one home (2700 square feet).

God, save us! And, She did🙏

Through Arturo’s utmost of care and nurturing
Including, but not limited to:
🏎️MOST EXCELLENT maneuvering and driving
Amidst the fast-paced throngs;
🏪Perfectly relevant selections of stores which to visit;
👨‍🍳Healthy and deLicious restaurants and coffee shops
Fostering our pallets;
🥙Managing the items we purchase
🚙Including filling his car for the 6+ hour drive back to Boquete,
🚛As well as arranging for the remainder to be delivered;
🇵🇦Translating, again and again🇺🇸
Given his gift and diligence of being bilingual;
We are wildly successful🙌
Beyond anything Andrew and I could have done on our own.

Given my angst with traveling and residing within a big city,
I re-cognize the Truth:
We are WHOLLY taken care of.
Our security is never in question🙏.
We are held in the sanctity of Community,
Coming together in ways (dharma) in which we each shine🌟,
Contributing to the whole
Where that whole is greater
Than the sum of the individual parts,
Also known as:
SYNERGY✨

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